Passage of a budget deal to avert the “fiscal cliff” (2 letters)

Your article concerning the “fiscal cliff” characterized Congress as “weary.” Let me suggest not so much weary as petty, intransigent, arrogant, and engaged in political theater. They drag this issue out to the bitter end, engaging in high drama at all times, but manage to salvage something at the last minute. What a surprise!

The revolting thing about this is that members of Congress get paid, no matter what. They receive self-administered raises, no matter what. They have a generous federal health insurance plan, no matter what. And they can receive pensions after serving only five years in Congress. And after they finally leave the office, unless they’re imbeciles they will then become well paid lobbyists or consultants. They are, in effect, a privileged and special class of people.
I do not think this is what the founders intended.

Dennis Smyth, Lakewood

This letter was published in the Jan. 8 edition.

I’m glad the executive and legislative branches were able to come to some semblance of an agreement to avoid going over the cliff. I don’t believe raising taxes on high-income Americans will hurt job growth, because I don’t think most families earning more than $250,000 per year are small-business owners. Sure, there needs to be a reduction of government waste and an adjustment to entitlements to reduce the deficit and national debt, but charity begins at home. Compassionate people know how gratifying it is when we are able to give from our abundance for the benefit of others. It is most unfortunate if abundance manifests itself as greed.

We are beginning to see the folly of Grover Norquist and the Tea Party bunch who pledge no tax increases under any circumstances. Instead of their tired retoric, I hope to hear their concession speeches after the 2014 elections.

William Welch, Indian Hills

This letter was published in the Jan. 8 edition.

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William Welch is proof that much of the electorate is uninformed. For example, he wrote “I don’t think most families earning more than $250,000 per year are small-business owners.” That flies in the face of all of the information out there concerning who makes up those earning between $250,000 and $400,000. Then he writes ” Compassionate people know how gratifying it is when we are able to give
from our abundance for the benefit of others. It is most unfortunate if
abundance manifests itself as greed.” I wonder why there is the notion out there that the rich are ALL greedy. Bill gates and Warren Buffet have given billions away. Lastly, Grover Norquist and TEA Party members can’t give concession speeches because they aren’t running for office.

Steven A. Page

Mr. Welch, I don’t agree with your assessment. We didn’t avert anything; not only did the rich get hit with a tax increase so did most of middle America — for a President who vowed not to increase taxes on the “Middle Class”; the allowing of the lapsing of the 2% reduction in Social Security Tax is a TAX INCREASE! I passionately disagree with the theatrics and last minute deals that allow no time for reflection. Today it appears the last minute pork added to the bill by the Senate will eat up every dollar gained by the taxes on the rich.

For my part I admire those who oppose the shenanigans that are the norm in Washington — I heartily object to the intrusiveness of the Government in our personal lives — I despise the ill conceived legislation such as the Affordable Health Care Act (which is anything but affordable) — but most of all I abhor the indebtedness heaped on us by our Congress.

All I can say to you Mr. Welch is your wallet is going to get a lot lighter because Congress is setting its eyes on you and will nickel and dime you to death.

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